How economic anxiety is rewriting Gen Z’s love story

Marriage in the Philippines is no longer the inevitable milestone it once was. Among Gen Z Filipinosthe country's youngest adults-a quiet but profound shift is underway. A recent survey conducted by Arkipelago Analytics reveals that only 40 percent of Gen Z respondents say they want to get married someday. Of those, a significant 60 percent prefer to do so after the age of 35. This deferral of commitment reflects not only evolving cultural values but also a deeper, more pragmatic concern: the high cost of living and mounting economic pressures are fundamentally reshaping how the next generation approaches love, partnership, and the future.

- NIGHT OWL ANNA MAE YU LAMENTILLO

The backdrop to this transformation is sobering. According to newly released government data, the number of registered marriages declined by 7.8 percent in 2023, falling from 449,428 in 2022 to 414, 213. The crude marriage rate dropped as well-from 4.0 to 3.7 marriages per 1,000 population. These statistics mirror broader demographic shifts seen globally, but in the Philippines, they also signal the growing burden of economic insecurity, especially for younger Filipinos who are entering adulthood during a time of financial volatility.

For Gen Z, marriage is no longer the first step toward building a stable life-it's something to be considered afterachieving emotional readiness, financial independence, and career security. This represents a marked departure from previous generations, many of whom viewed marriage in their twenties as a rite of passage or cultural expectation. Today's young adults are more likely to view it as a long-term, emotionally driven commitment-one that must be timed carefully, not rushed into.